Happy Memorial Day!

Do you have exciting Memorial Day plans?  We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday with family and friends!

Top Ten Ranking for Veteran Programs

Congratulations to the University of Memphis.  They were ranked in the top ten in the United States for graduate business programs for veterans.  University of Memphis ranked ninth in the nation for their online programs.  You can read more or check out the University of Memphis for more information.
 

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Memphis in its Top 10 in online graduate business programs for veterans. This is the first year the publication has included analysis of online degree programs for veterans in its college rankings.

The U of M is ranked ninth for online graduate business programs. Other universities on the list include Washington State, Central Michigan, Nebraska and Temple.

Researchers in recent years have included online-only programs in their annual report, but said they included the veteran-specific rankings in recognition of the challenges that population faces.

“Our duty as business educators today is to understand and serve the customized individual needs of both our students and the employers who hire them,” said Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal, associate dean of the Fogelman College of Business & Economics. “Given our veterans’ great service to the nation, I am proud of the exemplary work our faculty and staff are doing to serve the specific learning and support needs of this critical segment of our student community.”

Dr. Karen Weddle-West, vice provost for Graduate Programs and director of Diversity Initiatives, added, “This ranking validates the excellent quality and rigor of the graduate programs in the Fogelman College, highlights the University’s commitment to achieving excellence by enhancing access to high-quality graduate programs, and underscores the value of offering online degrees to those who have sacrificed and defended our country.”

The top online veteran programs all are certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs and

participate in the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help offset some of the costs of schooling. The institutions also were graded on their flexibility for military and veterans’ schedules and their willingness to consider academic credit for military training.

Using Furniture to Decorate Your Apartment

Your apartment is your home for many years while in college.  However, small apartment spaces can make furniture placement and use confusing.  Check out these tips on how to make your furniture work in your apartment.  You can find out more at apartment therapy.

There's no question that a small space requires creative living. And whether you welcome or curse at the challenge to your decorating prowess, discovering the multi-purposing potential of your small space is a must. We've rounded up some fun products and DIY inspiration to help you meet that challenge and create some division in your small, multi-functional spaces.

Shelving Units: One of the toughest obstacles in a small space can be finding storage for all your goods. Using open shelving is a tried-and-true method for creating separate areas while also offering storage and an open, airy feel.
1. Pezzo White Storage Unit-Bench (cb2, $259)—This piece can be used as a bench or stacked with others to create a taller unit. Talk about multi-functional!

2. Highpoint Contoured Bookcase (Target, $195.49)—I used a case much like this one to create a faux hallway in my home for years. I loved it, and guests always commented on how much they liked the setup.
Curtains: Curtains are an inexpensive and non-permanent way to define spaces within a home. 
3. Magical Thinking Aviary Curtain (Urban Outfitters, $59 per panel)—When using a curtain to create division, choose a subtle pattern on a sheer curtain to allow light to flow between the spaces and to avoid having the curtain take up too much visual space.
Rugs: Sometimes actual room division can be too much in a particularly small space. A rug in one area of the room is a great way to define separation without really creating it.

4. Chenille Charade Carpet Tile (Flor.com, $20.00 per 20" square)—These fun squares from FLOR can be mixed and matched for any color combination or size that your space requires.

5. Embroidered Ellie Rug (Anthropologie, $78–$1,298)—This gorgeous rug from Anthropologie comes in many different size options. You can even layer rugs to define several areas in one room.
Seating: Seating, a pair of chairs or a sofa, may not spring first to mind as room dividers, but are a great way to work with what you have, rearranged, to visually divide your space.

6. Avec Peacock Apartment Sofa (cb2, $1,199)—A sofa is a great way to create the feel of division without visually blocking the rest of the space. This small-scale sofa is perfect for a small room and is particularly yummy; it's too bad I'm not currently in the market for one.

DIY Inspiration: You don't have to buy new furniture - maybe try making one of these projects:

7. Classroom Whiteboard, Chalkboard, and Pegboard Dividers (Honor Roll Supply, $79.99 each)—These classroom dividers are available for purchase, but similar ones could also be easily DIY'd for a custom look or size. How fun to be able to use a divider as vertical storage or even changeable artwork.

8. Metal Structure by Sanindusa (Trendir)—This metal piece is sculptural, offers fun storage, and could easily be recreated with PVC pipes.

9. Hanging Vintage Window (Better Homes and Gardens)—Hang a salvaged window, door, or screen picked from a garage sale or even the side of the road for a quick and quirky divider.

10. Rolling Screen (Pure Inspiration)—Pure Inspiration offers a great tutorial for creating this rolling screen, which can be personalized to match its space. What a great way to create separate spaces temporarily or on an as-needed basis.

Congratulations to the College Graduates!

Are you graduating this week?  First off, congratulations on this amazing accomplishment, you have a lot to be proud of.  Now, you have to enter the real world.  This can be intimidating, but these seven tips are great for college graduates.  There are great things out there for you to accomplish, and we can not wait to see what you do! 

1)  Here’s a secret: Careers don’t just happen, they are made. If you want to have the job and career that you want and need, it will take an enormous amount of work on your part. Many graduating seniors mistakenly believe that it is the responsibility of their career service officers to get them a job. Not true. Until you are ready to take charge of, and own, your career, you won’t have one.

Owning your career takes discipline and true commitment. Sending 20 standard cover letters and résumés to Monster.com and hoping for a response isn’t enough. To land the job you want, you need to make it your full-time job. Yes, this is hard – you have finals and papers to write, and friends to party with – but if you don’t work hard, you won’t get a job. Guaranteed.

Make a commitment to yourself and to your job search by claiming your career as your own. By pledging to do this, you will stop being a victim of the job market and will begin to take control over your future. This may sound hokey, but this symbolic act will help you accelerate your job search. Raise your hand and make the pledge.

2)  Take a moment and think about what kind of car you drive. Or if you don’t drive a car, what you’d like to drive if you had one? What adjectives or characteristics do you associate with your car? Safe? Well-engineered? Versatile? Eco-friendly? Car companies spend gazillions of dollars crafting the brands of the cars they sell. Looking for safety? Buy a Volvo. Superior engineering? Audi. Versatile? How about a Ford minivan? Want to save the planet? You better drive a Toyota Prius.

When we decide to purchase a car, we consciously or subconsciously have certain attributes in mind that will make the car “feel like me.” That is exactly why car companies pour money into brand development, brand marketing, and advertising.

You are no different. As you go out and try to “sell” yourself to future employers, it’s essential that you know exactly who you are and what you want to be. By being clear about what you can offer to hiring managers, you will be able to get people to buy into the brand that is you.

Discovering your own brand is an essential component of differentiating yourself from other hungry job seekers. Think about what makes you different, what skills you have to offer, what you’re passionate about, and what you can bring to an employer that will make them want to pick you. If you were a car, what would be your best selling points? If you don’t know what they are, ask a counselor, a parent, or friend to help you uncover what makes you a great product for employers to buy.

Read the rest of the tips at the CSM.